12/5/12
Oil Spill
Feds have funneled millions to Gulf Coast for Horizon spill recovery, new
report shows
By The Associated Press
updated December 05, 2012 at 8:06 AM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation
Service, one of the so-called "trustees" involved in divvying up projects
and cash from a settlement with BP PLC, detailed in a progress report it
will present next week at the meeting in Mobile, Ala., its Gulf Coast
projects, the money it has invested and the acres impacted. The report was
released to the AP in advance. The spill's longterm impact, including on
Alabama's coastline, is still a topic of study.
http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/12/feds_have_funneled_millions_to.html#incart_river
Judge Tosses Spill Claims Against Dispersant Maker
AP
A federal judge presiding over litigation spawned by the massive Gulf of
Mexico oil spill has dismissed all claims against the manufacturer of a
chemical dispersant that was used to break up crude gushing from BP's
blown-out well.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-tosses-spill-claims-dispersant-maker-17877926#.UL9swIO_FKY
After the Spill: Oysters and Oil Consumption
Updated: Tuesday, December 04, 2012, 12:26 PM
By Press-Register staff
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Alabama -- Oysters are a benchmark commercial species
harvested along the shores of lower Alabama's Gulf Coast. After the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill of 2010 dumped almost half a million tons of
crude oil into Gulf of Mexico waters, fishermen and consumers were
concerned about the status of local oyster beds.
http://blog.al.com/pr-community-news/2012/12/after_the_spill_oysters_and_oi.html
USGS reviews Deepwater Horizon research
UPI
Published: Dec. 4, 2012 at 8:38 AM
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Peer-reviewed
articles on the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico adds to the wealth of
knowledge needed to respond to future disasters, the USGS said.
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/12/04/USGS-reviews-Deepwater-Horizon-research/UPI-48791354628326/
State News
Dead dolphin washes ashore in Bay St. Louis
Sea Coast Echo
By Dwayne Bremer
Dec 4, 2012, 17:17
Dead dolphins have been washing ashore recently on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast, and on Tuesday, another one was found on the beach by St.
Stanislaus.
http://12.68.233.230/40/article_6466.shtml#.UL9mLoO_FKY
Company threatens lawsuit against Ocean Springs over garbage contract
Sun Herald
OCEAN SPRINGS -- One of the companies that bid on the $6 million
garbage/recycling contract in the city of Ocean Springs has threatened a
lawsuit.
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/12/05/4340641/company-threatens-lawsuit-against.html
Litter survey produces good news
By JESSICA BOYD
DAILY LEADER
December 4, 2012 3:00 pm
According to the 2012 Lincoln County litter survey, Lincoln County is
cleaner than it's been in years.
http://www.dailyleader.com/topstories/article_ea919a86-3e36-11e2-aeda-001a4bcf887a.html
Oil and gas production have Pike Co. seeking additional chancery judge
MBJ
by Clay Chandler
Published: November 30,2012
With oil and gas exploration on the rise in Southwest Mississippi,
supervisors in one county hope lawmakers will create an additional chancery
judge position in anticipation of increased legal activity surrounding the
energy boom.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2012/11/30/oil-and-gas-production-have-pike-co-seeking-additional-chancery-judge/
County wants in flood buyback program
By David A. Farrell
The Picayune Item
POPLARVILLE — Pearl River County head planner Ed Pinero, Jr., on Monday
asked supervisors for a letter of intent, expressing the board's intention
of participating in a Federal Emergency Management Agency buyback program
for properties that have experienced repetitive flooding.
http://picayuneitem.com/local/x983018078/County-wants-in-flood-buyback-program
Auditor says USM misused $5.3M in Katrina aid
AP
A federal auditor says FEMA should demand the return of $5.3 million of
Hurricane Katrina reconstruction money from the University of Southern
Mississippi.
http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20121205/NEWS01/312050007/Auditor-says-USM-misused-5-3M-Katrina-aid
Miss. emergency head: Streamline disaster recovery
AP
The federal government should trim overlapping layers of bureaucracy to
help speed recovery from large-scale disasters, the director of the
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency told a congressional panel Tuesday
in Washington.
http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20121205/NEWS01/312050013/Miss-emergency-head-Streamline-disaster-recovery
PEER reviews practices at community college; recommends changes
by MBJ Staff
Published: December 4,2012
MOORHEAD — The Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure
Review (PEER) has released the results of a review of practices at
Mississippi Delta Community College after receiving complaints of alleged
mismanagement.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2012/12/04/peer-reviews-practices-at-community-college-recommends-changes/
Workshop focuses on Mississippi's wild hog problem
WLBT
Wild hogs are a nuisance and widespread not only throughout North America,
but in Mississippi. The pigs threat to agriculture is extreme and growing.
That's one of the reasons biologists and educators from Mississippi State
University and other entities held the Wild Hog Management Workshop Tuesday
in Raymond.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/20259478/workshop-focuses-on-mississippis-wild-hog-problem
National News
EPA names new auto regulator
· BY DAVID SHEPARDSON
· DETROIT NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Washington - The Environmental Protection Agency has named a new top
regulator to oversee auto emissions and other transportation air quality
issues.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121204/AUTO01/212040409/1361/EPA-names-new-auto-regulator
Clean Air Act in focus as EPA readies soot rule
The Hill
By Ben Geman and Zack Colman - 12/04/12 05:55 PM ET
The Environmental Protection Agency is getting close to completing its
latest plan to toughen Clean Air Act rules, a move that promises to
reignite political battles over the scope of the agency's mandates.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/270965-overnight-energy-clean-air-act-in-focus-as-epa-readies-soot-rule
Gas tax: On the table, but not in the conversation
Politico
By: Adam Snider and Burgess Everett
December 5, 2012 04:34 AM EST
Washington is abuzz with talk about the income tax — but Americans may not
be aware there is another rate on the table.
Amid the fiscal cliff debate, there's a revenue option that would
re-examine the way roads and bridges have been funded over the past 50
years: the federal gas tax.
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=A89C8E45-2862-48B2-AE69-CCE27CD48446
AP Interview: UN chief says rich countries caused climate change, must take
lead in fixing it
By Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar — Rich countries are to blame for climate change and should
take the lead in forging a global climate pact by 2015, a deadline that
"must be met," the head of the United Nations said Wednesday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ap-interview-un-chief-says-rich-countries-caused-climate-change-must-take-lead-in-fixing-it/2012/12/05/e7f5be46-3eb9-11e2-8a5c-473797be602c_story.html
How to cut U.S. carbon emissions by 10 percent — without Congress
Washington Post
By Brad Plumer , Updated: December 4, 2012
President Obama and his advisers keep suggesting that they'd like to do
more about climate change, but Congress just won't cooperate.
Now one environmental group is arguing that the Obama administration
doesn't even need Congress to make sweeping cuts to U.S. carbon emissions.
On Tuesday, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a new report
explaining how the Environmental Protection Agency could enforce sharp
emissions cuts at America's power plants.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/04/how-the-u-s-could-cut-carbon-emissions-by-10-percent-without-congress/
Press Releases
America's Great Outdoors Progress Report Highlights Conservation,
Recreation Successes
WASHINGTON, DC – The Obama Administration today released a report detailing
key successes of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative
(AGO), including advancing local conservation priorities, expanding access
to lands and waters for recreation, restoring critical landscapes, and
creating great urban parks and water trails in American communities.
In addition to their social, cultural and historic value, America's
outdoors provide vital jobs and economic benefits to communities across the
country. The Outdoor Industry Association estimates recreation activities
including hunting, camping, biking and boating support $646 billion in
direct economic activity and provide 6.1 million jobs.
"Through the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, President Obama has made
it a priority to ensure that all Americans can enjoy one of our Nation's
greatest assets: its outdoors," said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on
Environmental Quality. "From restoring national treasures like the
Everglades and the Great Lakes to connecting young people with recreational
activities, the Administration has pursued a 21st century conservation
agenda that builds healthy communities, grows our economy, and safeguards
our most cherished natural resources."
"There are few gifts we can give our children and grandchildren that are
more important than conserving our nation's natural, historic and cultural
heritage and providing ample opportunities for them to experience it
first-hand," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Working hand in
hand with communities through the America's Great Outdoors initiative, we
have undertaken and completed countless projects to promote conservation
efforts, provide more outdoor recreational opportunities, and support
economic growth and job creation. I know that, together, we can continue to
add to this impressive list of accomplishments in the coming years."
"The Obama Administration's continued focus on the stewardship of both our
public and working lands is crucial to the growth and revitalization of the
rural economy," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Through record
efforts to restore America's National Forests and our work with more than
500,000 private landowners to conserve our soil and water resources, the
America's Great Outdoors initiative demonstrates the tremendous power of
locally-driven conservation efforts to create jobs while reconnecting
Americans to the outdoors."
"The President's America's Great Outdoors initiative has helped connect
Americans to the treasured outdoor spaces in their communities -- including
the more than 80 percent of Americans who live in urban areas," said EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Programs like the Urban Waters Federal
Partnership allow EPA and its partners to revitalize urban waterfronts and
open spaces in cities, leading to healthier and more prosperous communities
all over the country."
"The Corps of Engineers is an enthusiastic partner in the America's Great
Outdoors initiative," said Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Civil Works). "We are proud of our work to engage the youth of this
country, through programs like the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps.
We thank our veterans for their service and profit from their expertise
through initiatives such as the America the Beautiful park access pass and
the Veterans' Curation Program. We will continue to work with communities
on river restoration, urban infrastructure renewal, and restoration
opportunities for the public to participate in while having fun."
The 2012 America's Great Outdoors Progress Report describes how agencies
are working together and with private sector, non-profit and community
partners to leverage resources and deliver on-the-ground results for
Americans. Examples include:
· The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
established a new "America the Beautiful Pass" that allows the men
and women in our armed forces and their families to visit more than
2,000 national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other
public lands without paying entrance or amenity fees.
· USDA and DOI investments in Youth Conservation Corps programs
increased participation by 20 percent this year above 2011 levels.
· DOI and the Department of Education signed an historic agreement to
expand outdoor learning access for an estimated 54 million students
and teachers.
· The President has designated four new National Monuments that protect
unique American natural, cultural and historic sites and promote
local economic growth.
· EPA is leading a multi-agency team to revitalize urban waterways and
increase access for all Americans through the Urban Waters Federal
Partnership, beginning in seven pilot cities.
· DOI, USDA, USACE and the U.S. Department of Commerce re-launched the
recreation.gov website with dramatic improvements and expanded
content, helping millions of visitors plan travel, find outdoor
resources, and explore national parks, lands, waters and historic and
cultural sites.
· USACE, DOI, DOC, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation
established a new National Water Trails System, opening up access
points that connect people and communities to recreational
opportunities on shorelines and waterways across the country.
The success stories highlighted in the report demonstrate how AGO promotes
an approach to conservation that is locally driven, rooted in science, and
involves collaboration among the full range of stakeholders, including
Federal agencies, businesses, farmers, ranchers, sportsmen and women,
conservation organizations and State, Tribal and local leaders.
President Obama launched AGO in April 2010 to foster a 21st century
approach to conservation that is designed by and accomplished in
partnership with the American people. In 2011, CEQ, DOI, USDA, and EPA
presented an AGO report to the President outlining a conservation action
plan using input received from more than 100,000 public comments and 51
public listening sessions across the country. Public input has continued to
be a part of progress in this initiative, including through a March 2012
White House Conference on Conservation.
This is the second report detailing progress on America's Great Outdoors
since the President launched the initiative in 2010. To read the Progress
Report or for more information about the AGO, visit:
www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/initiatives/ago.
###
